Dr Gabriel Doucas & Ingrid Katz elaborate how the combination of skin treatments and facial cosmetic surgery complement each other so beautifully.

As our bodies age, the skin changes... and it isn’t in a positive way. Our skin density decreases, meaning the skin becomes thinner. Less density leads to less plumpness, which translates to more fine lines and wrinkles. This loss in density is a result of decreased collagen production, depletion of subcutaneous fat, paucity in the availability of the vascular system (as it is pushed down) and a general breakdown of the finer structures of the skin.

The skin loses elasticity, making it sit less tightly on the underlying tissues. Additionally, our metabolism slows down with age - resulting in a slower skin cell turnover. More dead skin cells then hang on at the surface of the skin, which can result in impaired wound healing.

Seeking surgery to improve lines, sagging skin and ageing effects will only take you so far. The surface skin quality will still be left lacking. And to be honest, if you are going to spend the money and go through the process of surgery, why not ensure the absolute best result by attending to the skin at the same time? The same can be said for therapeutic skin treatments alone too. It can only take you so far. That’s why the combination of skin treatments and surgery complement each other so beautifully.

ACID burn victim Ines Antonio yesterday underwent plastic surgery – her sixth operation since November last year when her former boyfriend Jan Pieterse allegedly threw acid over her face and chest, destroying her life.

A surgeon, Dr Gabriel Doucas, in collaboration with the Netcare Foundation, has offered his services free of charge for the two operations aimed at improving her quality of life.

Antonio underwent one operation yesterday and will return in a few weeks for the second.

Speaking exclusively to The Star – the only media allowed into her room at the hospital – Antonio said she was both nervous and happy at the opportunity of having the operation.

“I am very scared, but I am very lucky to be having it. Everyone here, the hospital staff, nurses and doctors, have been so kind. But I am scared of needles,” she said.

ACID burn victim Ines Antonio yesterday underwent plastic surgery – her sixth operation since November last year when her former boyfriend Jan Pieterse threw acid over her face and chest, destroying her life.

A surgeon, Dr Gabriel Doucas, in collaboration with the Netcare Foundation, has offered his services free for the two operations aimed at improving her life.

Antonio underwent one operation yesterday and will return within a few weeks for the second.

Speaking exclusively to The Star, sister newspaper of the Pretoria News and the only media allowed into her room at the hospital, Antonio said she was both nervous and happy at the opportunity of having the operation.

“I am very scared, but I am very lucky to be having it. Everyone here, hospital staff, nurses and doctors have been so kind. But I am scared of needles,” she said.

It’s very difficult for Ines Antonio to do normal‚ everyday things for herself. Getting up‚ showering‚ dressing herself and simply eating are not simple chores for the acid burn survivor.

“I am awake for most of the night because of the pain‚” Antonio says. “This has become my life.”

But on Tuesday‚ a statement from the Netcare Foundation and Netcare Linksfield Hospital said‚ her “life is about to change for the better with the help of plastic and reconstructive surgeon‚ Dr Gabriel Doucas‚ who has volunteered to donate his time by undertaking two functional surgical procedures...to improve her range of movement”.

In November last year‚ Antonio sustained third-degree burns when she was allegedly attacked with acid by her former boyfriend‚ Jan Pieterse‚ who was on trial for attempted murder in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.

Tuesday’s operation – the first of two – will tackle the “release of the neck burn contracture”.

JOHANNESBURG – Almost a year after sustaining severe burns to her face and upper body in an acid attack Ines Antonio has now undergone the first surgery to repair some of the damage.

The 24-year-old mother was attacked by her then boyfriend Jan Pieterse.

Pieterse, who claims it was a horrible accident, will hear his fate this month when his attempted murder cases draws to a close.

Doctors say the pro-bono surgery performed today will repair some of the damage from the burns on her lower lip and underarms which are impeding her movement.

The plastic surgeon on the case, Dr Gabriel Doucas, said, “She needed lots of interventions to improve mobility of her shoulders and her neck. She has been suffering since November last year; and thankfully we had the opportunity through Netcare and Linksfield Hospital to embark on one of these operations.”

At the age of 18 a cyst developed on my left earlobe. It never stopped me from wearing my hair up, but it was rather unsightly and even though I “lived my life” I was to a degree self-conscious about it.

Aside from having the cyst removed for aesthetic value, it was a hard ball in my earlobe that felt uncomfortable and overall shouldn’t have been there in the first place. I sought out a plastic surgeon to have said cyst removed.

Below is an account of my experience along with pictures and a video. The images and video are GRAPHIC! If you’re overly sensitive to blood, cutting and scalpels do not watch :) I’m very squeamish and even posting these were difficult. Oh the things we do for our readers...

ISAPS stands for the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. It acts as the world’s leading professional organization for board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons. Importantly, it has a threefold mission statement of continually educating its members, accurately informing the public and promoting patient safety throughout the world. It has an established membership in 95 countries across the globe, where the membership requires approval according to strict guidelines related to proper training and certification of the surgeon.

The anti-aging industry is a dynamic and innovative one. Although the silver bullet of eternally youthful looks has not yet been discovered, the industry is certainly doing its best to unearth it. We asked our aesthetic experts to share their top trends and predictions for 2015.